Wednesday, September 11, 2024

God's Gifts

The visitors who come to my flowers bring me joy.
Bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds flit from flower to flower.
They search for the sweet nectar.

Like these creatures, people go from one thing to another 
looking for the next best thing.
That's natural for the bugs and birds, but for people, it's exhausting.

Take time to stop and experience God's gifts.
Seek to be satisfied by His love and grace.


 

Saturday, September 7, 2024

Why Worry?

Luke 22:25-26
Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?

“Worry is worshipping your problem. Prayer is surrendering your problem.”

I remember the day I walked Sara to the huge yellow school bus at the end of the short driveway and handed her over to ride the bus to school. The next year, I repeated the act with Maggie and a few years later, with Hannah. For a young mom, it wasn’t easy sending my babies to school. I wanted to go with them and watch over them.

Looking back, now that all the girls have made it into their forties, they were prepared for their first steps toward independence. They all succeeded and two of them went on to work in the education field and one in non-profit.

As a young momma, I spent time worrying when I should have been praying. Over the years, those worries did turn into prayers. I still ask God to watch over my kiddos every day. Plus, all the people we’ve added to our family along the way.

Jesus wants me to trust him instead of fretting over something I have no control over. Yes, I prepared my kids for school and moving forward, and that’s all I could do, except pray and be available.

In Luke, Jesus speaks to the people and asks how worry can add a single hour to their life. If anything, worry tears away at us. Worry produces stress, which causes health issues and doesn’t take me anywhere but into a tailspin.

Jesus’ wisdom speaks into my heart as I’m reminded not to worry and instead to pray.

 When worry niggles at you, seek Jesus, pray, and trust Him.

Wednesday, September 4, 2024

Welcome September

The black-eyed Susans are beginning to fade as September unfolds.
These beauties are my favorite. 
They always show up around my birthday in July.

Sunday, I watched the humming birds enjoy the last of the sweetness.
As summer fades into autumn, I appreciate the season's change. 
I love living where the seasons move in a cycle. 

Cooler weather is around the corner.
And that makes me smile.



 

Saturday, August 31, 2024

God's Friend

Isaiah 41:8-9
“But you, Israel, my servant,
Jacob, whom I have chosen,
you descendants of Abraham my friend,
I took you from the ends of the earth,
from its farthest corners I called you.

James 2:23
And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend.

"We'll be friends forever, won't we, Pooh?" asked Piglet. "Even longer," Pooh
answered. 

I’ve had a few book signings recently. At each one, I’ve met new people, and visited with returning readers and fellow writers. When I went back to my hometown, to the building where my library career started, I had the joy and honor of being in the presence of three of my dear high school friends.

They may cringe when I say this, I might too, but next year marks our fiftieth anniversary for our high school graduation. Time goes too fast.

Even though I moved away from Lynchburg, I’m blessed to have communication with so many I graduated with. Bev, Colleen, Garnet and I reminisced, shared updates on our families, travels, and books we’ve been reading, and simply enjoyed seeing each other.

There’s a song I remember from childhood, “Make new friends, but keep the old. One is silver and the other gold.” We may have sung it in girl scouts. I’m not sure, but it still rings true. Those friends from our youth are precious indeed.

One friend I discovered in my youth was Jesus. He’s a friend who sticks closer than a brother. In Isaiah and James, we read of God calling Abraham his friend. How incredible to be known as a friend of the Lord God, who created the world.

Even when I have failed in my friendship with Jesus, he stuck with me. He loved me and called me closer to him. I’m beyond grateful for Jesus’ love and kindness and the sacrifice he gave, so I might be called God’s friend.

Take good care of your friends and seek Jesus, who loves you more than anything.

 

Wednesday, August 28, 2024

The Beauty of Summer

Using cliches in writing is frowned upon.
So instead of "Stop and smell the roses," 
how about, stop and appreciate the beauty.

Even in the extreme heat that's hit Ohio, 
I can enjoy the beauty of the last flowers of summer.

How about you? What loveliness is around you?



 

Saturday, August 24, 2024

When Fear Overwhelms

Luke 8:22-24
One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side of the lake.” So, they got into a boat and set out. As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger.

The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!”

He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. “Where is your faith?” he asked his disciples.

Lake Erie tossed and turned.

The waves rose and crashed after tornados had attacked the northeastern shores. Tim and I happened to spend a few days at the lake, in Marblehead, after some tough storms went through the area. We watched the water rise and wash the shore like hands reaching to grasp whatever the waves could steal.

The next day, a sailboat ventured onto calmer, yet choppy waters. The boat bobbed up and down and I thought, if I were on it, I might be seasick.

The Sea of Galilee tossed a boat around when Jesus and some of his disciples sailed. Jesus fell asleep and the storm frightened the men. When Jesus woke and settled the waters, he asked, “Where is your faith?”

I may not sail in a boat, but it seems like storms attack our shores too often. A spiritual battle rages around us as good and evil fight for dominance. When fear overwhelms, Jesus asks, “Where is your faith?”

It’s then I understand, this life was not meant to be lived alone. Yes, I’m surrounded by friends and family, but I need more. I need Jesus. I don’t want him to wonder where my faith is. I want him to know my faith remains in him, every day.

When life rocks the boat, and even when it doesn’t cling to Jesus. Have faith in the one who makes a difference.

Wednesday, August 21, 2024

Shades of the Seasons

The ironweed surrounded by black-eyed Susans 
created a beautiful picture of August.

As we hiked along the path at the park, I noticed several plants
blooming in shades of purple or yellow.
It's interesting to me how the seasons show off their 
various array of colors.

I'm so thankful God created color in this world. 
Some colors offer calm in the chaos, while others 
encourage vibrancy and joy.

Enjoy the many shades of the seasons.